Skills For the Information Age (SFIA) Definitions & Rate Card
1.
Follow
2.
Assist
3.
Apply
4.
Enable
5.
Ensure/Advise
6.
Initiate/Influence
7.
Set Strategy/Inspire
Client interface
Procurement & management support
Service management
Solution development & implementation
Business change
Strategy & architecture
Standard Rate Card
£1592
Standards for Consultancy Day Rate cards
Consultant’s Working Day – 8 hours exclusive of travel and lunch.
Working Week – Monday to Friday excluding national holidays
Office Hours - 09:00 – 17:00 Monday to Friday
Travel and Subsistence – Included in day rate within M25. Payable at department’s standard T&S
rates outside M25.
Mileage – As above
Professional Indemnity Insurance – included in day rate.
Level Definitions
Autonomy
Works under close
supervision. Uses little
discretion. Is expected to
seek guidance in
expected situations.
Influence
Interacts with immediate
colleagues.
Complexity
Performs routine activities in a
structured environment.
Requires assistance in resolving
unexpected problems.
2 Assist
Works under routine
supervision.
Uses minor discretion in
resolving problems or
enquiries. Works without
frequent reference to
others.
Interacts with and may
influence immediate
colleagues. May have
some external contact
with customers and
suppliers. May have more
influence in own domain.
Performs a range of varied work
activities in a variety of
structured environments.
3 Apply
Works under general
supervision. Uses
discretion in identifying
and resolving complex
problems and
assignments. Usually
receives specific
instructions and has work
reviewed at frequent
milestones. Determines
when issues should be
escalated to a higher
level.
Interacts with and
influences
department/project team
members.
May have working level
contact with customers
and suppliers. In
predictable and structured
areas may supervise
others. Makes decisions
which may impact on the
work assigned to
individuals or phases of
projects.
Performs a broad range of work,
sometimes complex and nonroutine, in a variety of
environments.
1 Follow
Business Skills
Uses basic information systems and
technology functions, applications, and
processes. Demonstrates an organised
approach to work. Learns new skills and
applies newly acquired knowledge. Has basic
oral and written communication skills.
Contributes to identifying own development
opportunities.
Understands and uses appropriate methods,
tools and applications.
Demonstrates a rational and organised
approach to work. Is aware of health and
safety issues. Identifies and negotiates own
development opportunities. Has sufficient
communication skills for effective dialogue
with colleagues. Is able to work in a team. Is
able to plan, schedule and monitor own work
within short time horizons. Absorbs technical
information when it is presented
systematically and applies it effectively.
Understands and uses appropriate methods,
tools and applications.
Demonstrates an analytical and systematic
approach to problem solving. Takes the
initiative in identifying and negotiating
appropriate development opportunities.
Demonstrates effective communication skills.
Contributes fully to the work of teams. Plans,
schedules and monitors own work (and that
of others where applicable) competently
within limited deadlines and according to
relevant legislation and procedures. Absorbs
and applies technical information. Works to
required standards. Understands and uses
appropriate methods, tools and applications.
Appreciates the wider field of information
4 Enable
Works under general
direction within a clear
framework of
accountability.
Exercises substantial
personal responsibility
and autonomy. Plans own
work to meet given
objectives and processes.
Influences team and
specialist peers internally.
Influences customers at
account level and
suppliers. Has some
responsibility for the work
of others and for the
allocation of resources.
Participates in external
activities related to own
specialism.
Makes decisions which
influence the success of
projects and team
objectives.
Performs a broad range of
complex technical or
professional work activities, in a
variety of contexts.
5 Ensure/Advise
Works under broad
direction. Is fully
accountable for own
technical work and/or
project/ supervisory
responsibilities. Receives
assignments in the form
of objectives.
Establishes own
milestones and team
objectives, and delegates
responsibilities. Work is
often self-initiated.
Influences organisation,
customers, suppliers and
peers within industry on
the contribution of own
specialism. Has
significant responsibility
for the work of others and
for the allocation of
resources. Makes
decisions which impact on
the success of assigned
projects i.e. results,
deadlines and budget.
Develops business
relationships with
Performs a challenging range
and variety of complex technical
or professional work activities.
Undertakes work which requires
the application of fundamental
principles in a wide and often
unpredictable range of contexts.
Understands the relationship
between own specialism and
wider customer/ organisational
requirements.
systems, and how own role relates to other
roles and to the business of the employer or
client.
Selects appropriately from applicable
standards, methods, tools and applications.
Demonstrates an analytical and systematic
approach to problem solving. Communicates
fluently orally and in writing, and can present
complex technical information to both
technical and non-technical audiences.
Facilitates collaboration between
stakeholders who share common objectives.
Plans, schedules and monitors work to meet
time and quality targets and in accordance
with relevant legislation and procedures.
Rapidly absorbs new technical information
and applies it effectively. Has a good
appreciation of the wider field of information
systems, their use in relevant employment
areas and how they relate to the business
activities of the employer or client. Maintains
an awareness of developing technologies
and their application and takes some
responsibility for personal development.
Advises on the available standards, methods,
tools and applications relevant to own
specialism and can make correct choices
from alternatives. Analyses, diagnoses,
designs, plans, execute and evaluates work
to time, cost and quality targets.
Communicates effectively, formally and
informally, with colleagues, subordinates and
customers. Demonstrates leadership.
Facilitates collaboration between
stakeholders who have diverse objectives.
Understands the relevance of own area of
responsibility/ specialism to the employing
organisation. Takes customer requirements
into account when making proposals. Takes
customers.
6 Initiate/
Influence
Has defined authority and
responsibility for a
significant area of work,
including technical,
financial and quality
aspects. Establishes
organisational objectives
and delegates
responsibilities. Is
accountable for actions
and decisions taken by
self and subordinates.
7 Set Strategy/
Inspire
Has authority and
responsibility for all
aspects of a significant
area of work, including
policy formation and
application. Is fully
accountable for
actions taken and
decisions made,
Influences policy
formation on the
contribution of own
specialism to business
objectives. Influences a
significant part of own
organisation and
influences
customers/suppliers and
industry at senior
management level. Makes
decisions which impact
the work of employing
organisations,
achievement of
organisational objectives
and financial
performance.
Develops high-level
relationships with
customers, suppliers and
industry leaders.
Makes decisions critical to
organisational success.
Influences developments
within the IT industry at
the highest levels.
Advances the knowledge
and/or exploitation of IT
within one or more
organisations.
Performs highly complex work
activities covering technical,
financial and quality aspects.
Contributes to the formulation of
IT strategy. Creatively applies a
wide range of technical and/or
management principles.
Leads on the formulation and
application of strategy. Applies
the highest level of management
and leadership skills. Has a
deep understanding of the IT
industry and the implications of
emerging technologies for the
wider business environment.
initiative to keep skills up to date. Mentors
more junior colleagues. Maintains an
awareness of developments in the industry.
Analyses requirements and advises on scope
and options for operational improvement.
Demonstrates creativity and innovation in
applying solutions for the benefit of the
customer.
Absorbs complex technical information and
communicates effectively at all levels to both
technical and non-technical audiences.
Assesses and evaluates risk. Understands
the implications of new technologies.
Demonstrates clear leadership and the ability
to influence and persuade. Has a broad
understanding of all aspects of IT and deep
understanding of own specialism(s).
Understands and communicates the role and
impact of IT in the employing organisation
and promotes compliance with relevant
legislation. Takes the initiative to keep both
own and subordinates' skills up to date and
to maintain an awareness of developments in
the IT industry.
Has a full range of strategic management
and leadership skills.
Understands, explains and presents complex
technical ideas to both technical and nontechnical audiences at all levels up to the
highest in a persuasive and convincing
manner. Has a broad and deep IT knowledge
coupled with equivalent knowledge of the
activities of those businesses and other
both by self and
subordinates
Develops long-term
strategic relationships
with customers and
industry leaders.
organisations that use and exploit IT.
Communicates the potential impact of
emerging technologies on organisations and
individuals and analyses the risks of using or
not using such technologies. Assesses the
impact of legislation, and actively promotes
compliance. Takes the initiative to keep both
own and subordinates’ skills up to date and
to maintain an awareness of developments in
IT in own area(s) of expertise.